| Football in Rwanda | |
|---|---|
| Governing body | Rwandese Association Football Federation |
| National team(s) | men's national team |
Club competitions | |
International competitions | |
Champions League CAF Confederation Cup Super Cup FIFA Club World Cup FIFA World Cup(National Team) African Cup of Nations(National Team) | |
The sport of football in the country of Rwanda is run by the Rwandese Association Football Federation. The association administers the national football team, as well as the Rwandan Premier League. Football is the most popular sport in Rwanda.
The Rwanda national team has traditionally been among the weaker sides in African football. They have attempted to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations on a number of occasions but managed this only once, in 2004. Although eliminated in the first round Rwanda did manage to defeat former champions Congo DR and draw with Guinea. [1]
They also participate in the CECAFA Cup, a regional tournament involving east and central African national teams only. Rwanda's sole international success came in this competition when the country's 'B' team defeated Kenya in the final. Rwanda's full national team, which also took part in the competition, actually finished third with the second string winning. [2]
As of December 2014, the Rwandan national team had attained its historic record ranking on FIFA rankings that were released on Thursday, Dec 18, 2014. Rwanda was ranked 68th globally, 19th in Africa, and 1st in East Africa. The Amavubi are the biggest mover on the world rankings, 22 places from 90th position in November 2014 following a goalless draw in Marrakesh versus the Morocco national team. [3]
The Rwandan Premier League is the country's top competition, with APR FC its most successful club. The Rwandan Cup is the main knock-out competition, with Rayon Sports FC the leading side in the cup. On the international stage Rwandan sides have enjoyed some success in the regional Kagame Inter-Club Cup, with Rayon Sport taking the title in 1998, APR FC winning in 2005 and 2007 and ATRACO FC successful in 2009. [4]
As of 2013 they are the only country in East Africa to have an established women's football league, the Rwanda Women's Football League. [5]
This is a list with football stadiums in Rwanda with a capacity of at least 5,000. The largest non-football stadium by capacity in Rwanda is the 10,000-capacity indoor stadium named BK Arena.
| Stadium | Capacity | City | Tenants | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amahoro Stadium | 45,000 | Kigali | Rwanda national football team | |
| Kigali Pelé Stadium | 22,000 | Kigali | APR FC, Rayon Sports | |
| Stade Huye | 10,000 | Butare |
The Ethiopia national football team, nicknamed Walia, after the Walia ibex, represents Ethiopia in men's international football and is controlled by the Ethiopian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Ethiopia. The team has been representing Ethiopia in regional, continental, and international competitions since its founding in 1943. The Walias play their home games at Addis Ababa Stadium located in the capital city of Addis Ababa. They are currently ranked 150th in the world according to the FIFA World Rankings and 44th in CAF.
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Rayon Sports Football Club is an association football club from Nyanza, Southern province, Rwanda, now based in Kigali. The team currently competes in the Rwanda National Football League, and plays its home games at the Stade Amahoro in Kigali and Kigali Pele Stadium, Nyamirambo. For some years, its daily operations were held in the southern province in Nyanza District. They've won 9 Rwandan Premier League titles, the 2nd most Premier League titles. Throughout its history, the club has won 9 Rwandan Cups, 1 CECAFA Clubs' Cup, 9 peace Cups, 3 Agaciro Cups, 2 Intwali Cups and a Kigali 100 Years' Cup and 1 Father Fraipont memorial tournament. The blues of Rwanda are said to have more than 80% of Football fans in the country, which makes it the most popular team in Rwanda and the only competent citizen-owned club in the country of a thousand hills.
Mukura Victory Sports et Loisirs Football Club, commonly known as Mukura Victory Sports or simply Mukura, is an association football club from Butare, Rwanda. Founded in May 1963, the club currently competes in the Rwanda Premier League and plays its home games at Stade Huye.
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